Weight Bench+ Set for Newbie

[Anonymous]

I have lost 100lbs in the last two years and do lots of cardio, yoga and dumbbells. I’d like to add more strength training and add a weight bench/set to my home gym. Does anyone have suggestions for a set that won’t break the bank? I am clueless as to what kind of equipment I should be looking for and where.

[Anonymous]

I would buy from York Barbell. Drive up there to their showroom and try out. See what you like.

[Anonymous]

How much room do you have?

What is your budget?

How much do you bench?

[Anonymous]

I would just get a bench and use the dumbbells instead of a barbell and plates.

[Anonymous]

get a set of adjustable dumbbells. Bowflex and powerblocks are the two top sets. You do need to be careful with the bowflex ones as they will break if you drop them.


If you really want to lift then maybe consider hiring a trainer to show you moved and educate you on what you need for home workouts. Or consider joining a gym as you will have a lot more options available.

Nice job on the weight loss!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would buy from York Barbell. Drive up there to their showroom and try out. See what you like.

Why drive 2 hours when you could just go somewhere like Dick’s?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would buy from York Barbell. Drive up there to their showroom and try out. See what you like.

Why drive 2 hours when you could just go somewhere like Dick’s?

the same reason you are better off going to a running store to buy sneakers instead of dicks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would buy from York Barbell. Drive up there to their showroom and try out. See what you like.

Why drive 2 hours when you could just go somewhere like Dick’s?

the same reason you are better off going to a running store to buy sneakers instead of dicks.

As an avid runner and weight lifter, this makes zero sense to me.

I have a variety of dumbbells ranging from 15 to 90 pounds. They are slightly different, but the differences have zero impact on their safety or effectiveness, unlike running shoes.

A 45 pound bar and plates are literally completely generic and interchangeable.


And I say this as someone who did drive to York during the pandemic to get heavy dumbbells. I did that because they weren't available anywhere else. My most recent pair (85 pounds) came from Walmart. Note that the Walmart ones are really cheaply made, and heavy dumbbells can bend slightly if you drop them, but you shouldn't drop weights anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would buy from York Barbell. Drive up there to their showroom and try out. See what you like.

Why drive 2 hours when you could just go somewhere like Dick’s?

the same reason you are better off going to a running store to buy sneakers instead of dicks.

As an avid runner and weight lifter, this makes zero sense to me.

I have a variety of dumbbells ranging from 15 to 90 pounds. They are slightly different, but the differences have zero impact on their safety or effectiveness, unlike running shoes.

A 45 pound bar and plates are literally completely generic and interchangeable.


And I say this as someone who did drive to York during the pandemic to get heavy dumbbells. I did that because they weren't available anywhere else. My most recent pair (85 pounds) came from Walmart. Note that the Walmart ones are really cheaply made, and heavy dumbbells can bend slightly if you drop them, but you shouldn't drop weights anyway.

PP here who posted about just going to Dicks. I go to a running store for running shoes. And I go to Dick's (or Target, Play it Again Sports, Amazon, yard sales, Buy Nothing group, or even Goodwill! Or, really, anywhere equipment is on sale.) for weights and related equipment. Been lifting for 30+ years and getting buy just fine w/o a special trip to PA! But if I lived there, I'd totally check it out. I just can't imagine a 4-hr round trip for something like this unless I were a trainer or bodybuilder type.